Gap Inc. to Report Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Results on March 5th [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationSAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- [Gap Inc.](NYSE: GAP) will report its fourth quarter and fiscal 2025 financial results by press release on March 5, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time.In addition, the company will host a conference call to review its fourth quarter and fiscal 2025 results on Thursday, March 5, 2026, beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.A live we ...

Core Insights - The Gap, Inc. has experienced significant volatility in recent years due to macroeconomic pressures, including the impact of tariffs [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The Gap, Inc. operates in the apparel retail sector and has faced challenges that have affected its performance [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst has over a decade of experience researching various industries, including commodities and technology, and has transitioned to a value investing-focused platform [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Gap, Inc. has experienced significant volatility in recent years due to macroeconomic pressures, including the impact of tariffs [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The Gap, Inc. operates in the apparel retail sector and has faced challenges that have affected its performance [1] Group 2: Market Context - The apparel retail industry is currently under pressure from various macroeconomic factors, which have been exacerbated by tariffs [1]

Core Insights - The Gap, Inc.'s multiyear turnaround strategy is showing progress, with improvements in brand execution and operational efficiency, setting the stage for stable growth as it approaches 2026 [1][10] - The Gap brand is a significant contributor to this turnaround, with better product assortments and clearer messaging attracting more customers and supporting full-price sales [2][10] - Not all brands within the company are performing equally, with Banana Republic showing gradual improvement while Athleta faces challenges, indicating a longer recovery period for the latter [3][10] Brand Performance - Old Navy continues to provide stability with its strong value offering, while Gap's improving performance supports healthier margins, allowing for investments in marketing and supply chain improvements [4][10] - The focus is shifting towards converting recent brand gains into consistent profit growth, with management guiding sales growth towards the upper end of a 1.7%-2% range [5][10] Financial Metrics - Shares of Gap have increased by 26.4% over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 8.8% [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11.50X, compared to the industry average of 16.11X [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Gap's current fiscal-year sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 1.9%, while earnings per share are expected to decline by 2.7% [12]

Industry Overview - The Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry is entering 2026 on a steady footing despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, with demand driven by value-conscious consumers and rapid trend cycles [1] - Lifestyle categories such as athleisure and comfort are attracting younger, digitally native shoppers, while brand strength and product innovation are crucial for maintaining full-price sell-through [1] - Retailers are leveraging e-commerce, omnichannel strategies, and personalized marketing to enhance conversion rates and customer loyalty [1] - Supply chain efficiencies and strategic pricing are helping to mitigate cost pressures, while international expansion and sustainability initiatives offer long-term growth opportunities [1] Key Trends - Consumer spending remains resilient, with U.S. retail sales increasing by 0.6% month-over-month in November, and clothing store sales rising by 0.9% sequentially and 7.5% year-over-year [4] - The Federal Reserve's rate cuts have improved household financial flexibility, encouraging discretionary spending, which benefits the sector [4] - Companies are focusing on consumer engagement through product innovation and personalized shopping experiences, while also tightening inventory management and rationalizing store footprints [5] - Retailers are integrating in-store and online operations through omnichannel capabilities, enhancing customer experiences with loyalty programs and advanced technology [6] Margin Pressures - Intense competition is leading retailers to battle for market share through pricing and product assortment, which is increasing operational costs and putting pressure on margins [7][8] - Companies are actively streamlining operations and optimizing supply chains to balance growth and profitability [8] Investment Opportunities - American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) is noted for its strong turnaround, driven by successful marketing and brand desirability, with a projected sales growth of 2.7% for the current financial year [18][19] - Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) is experiencing broad-based growth and executing a "stores-first" strategy, with expected sales growth of 16.9% and EPS growth of 25.1% [22][24] - Victoria's Secret & Co. (VSCO) is revitalizing its brand through product innovation and operational efficiency, with a projected sales growth of 4.7% [26][27] - The Gap, Inc. (GAP) is undergoing an operational turnaround with a focus on high-impact marketing and supply chain modernization, expecting sales growth of 1.9% [30][31] Industry Performance - The Zacks Retail - Apparel and Shoes industry ranks 46, placing it in the top 19% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [9][10] - The industry's earnings estimate has risen by 9.6% over the past year, reflecting growing analyst confidence in earnings growth potential [11] - The industry has underperformed the broader market, declining by 6.7% over the past year compared to the S&P 500's growth of 16.5% [12]

Core Insights - The 2025 holiday shopping season saw strong retail sales, with November sales rising 0.6% month-over-month to $735.9 billion, indicating robust consumer spending despite economic concerns [1][2][7] - The increase in retail sales was primarily driven by motor vehicle purchases and discretionary spending, suggesting a rebound from October's slight decline [1][4][7] Retail Sales Breakdown - Motor vehicle and parts dealers experienced a 1% month-over-month increase in sales, while building material and garden equipment dealers saw a 1.3% rise [4] - Food and beverage stores and clothing stores had modest increases of 0.1% and 0.9%, respectively, while health and personal care stores rose by 0.3% [4] - Sporting goods and hobby stores reported a significant jump of 1.9% in sales, indicating strong consumer interest in these categories [4] - Food services and drinking places saw a 0.6% increase, while miscellaneous stores grew by 1.7% [5] Company-Specific Insights Dollar General - Dollar General is enhancing its market position through strategic initiatives like "Project Elevate" and "Project Renovate," which are driving sales growth and customer satisfaction [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar General's current fiscal year sales growth is projected at 4.8%, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.9% [10] American Eagle - American Eagle is revitalizing its brand through successful marketing campaigns and collaborations, leading to increased customer traffic and acquisition [12][14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for American Eagle's current fiscal year sales growth is 2.6%, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 35.1% [15] Gap - Gap is executing a brand reinvigoration strategy that includes high-impact marketing and partnerships, which are attracting younger demographics [17] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Gap's current fiscal year sales growth is 1.8%, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.1% [18] Ulta Beauty - Ulta Beauty is leveraging its "Ulta Beauty Unleashed" strategy to drive growth, focusing on exclusive product launches and international expansion [20] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ulta Beauty's current fiscal year sales growth is 8.8%, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.7% [21]

Core Insights - Gap Inc. has appointed Pam Kaufman as Executive Vice President, Chief Entertainment Officer, effective February 2, 2026, to lead the company's entertainment strategy [1][2] - The new role aims to enhance Gap Inc.'s engagement with audiences through a Fashiontainment platform that integrates fashion and entertainment [2][5] Group 1: Strategic Developments - The appointment of Kaufman signifies Gap Inc.'s commitment to strengthening its brand foundation and expanding its audience engagement [2] - Kaufman will develop the strategy for the Fashiontainment platform in collaboration with Gap Inc.'s brands [2][7] - A new office will be established in Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard to further integrate Gap Inc. into the entertainment ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of key markets like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco [3] Group 2: Brand Initiatives - Gap Inc. is already implementing initiatives that align with its entertainment strategy, such as partnerships with cultural events and co-created collections [4] - The company recognizes that modern consumers are interested in brands that tell compelling stories and drive cultural conversations, which is central to its strategy [5] Group 3: Leadership and Experience - Pam Kaufman brings extensive experience from her previous role at Paramount, where she managed a multi-billion-dollar organization across various sectors [6] - Kaufman's background includes leadership roles that enhance her understanding of fashion, design, and cultural storytelling, which will be beneficial for Gap Inc.'s growth [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The Gap, Inc. is identified as an undervalued cyclical stock with recent upgrades from analysts, indicating potential for growth in sales and earnings [1][2]. Group 1: Analyst Upgrades - UBS upgraded The Gap, Inc. from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $26 to $41 [1]. - Barclays reiterated a Buy rating and increased the price target from $30 to $33 [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance Expectations - UBS anticipates a 4.4% revenue growth for The Gap, Inc. in 2026, alongside a 14% growth in earnings [3]. - This projection represents an improvement from the previous year's performance, which saw only 1.9% revenue growth and a decline in earnings [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - The Gap, Inc. is an American specialty apparel company that offers clothing, accessories, and personal care products through brands such as Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta [3][2]. Group 4: Market Position - Analysts at UBS believe that the company's sales and earnings are approaching an inflection point, which has not yet been fully reflected in the share price [2]. - New initiatives and the stabilizing performance of Athleta are expected to drive revenue and profit growth [2].

Core Insights - Gap Inc. is experiencing pressure primarily due to Athleta's ongoing challenges, which saw a net sales decline of 11% year over year in Q3 fiscal 2025, raising concerns about whether the performance of Old Navy and Gap brands can compensate for this weakness [1][7] Group 1: Brand Performance - Athleta's comparable sales also fell by 11%, indicating significant difficulties as management works on revitalizing the brand [1] - Old Navy achieved a 6% increase in comparable sales, driven by strong demand in denim, activewear, and kids' categories, alongside market share gains [2][7] - The Gap brand reported a 7% increase in comparable sales, marking its eighth consecutive quarter of positive growth, supported by successful denim campaigns and engagement with younger consumers [2][3] - Banana Republic contributed to stability with a 4% growth in comparable sales, benefiting from its brand repositioning efforts [3] Group 2: Financial Performance and Valuation - Gap Inc. shares have increased by 23.1% over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 13.5% [4] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.52X, which is lower than the industry average of 16.88X, indicating potential undervaluation [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Gap's fiscal 2025 and 2026 EPS indicates a year-over-year decline of 2.73% and 6.5%, respectively, with stable EPS estimates over the past 30 days [8]

Group 1 - UBS raised its rating to Buy, indicating a positive outlook for the company [1] - The price target was increased, reflecting anticipated growth in specific segments [1] - Key growth areas identified include beauty, handbags, and Athleta [1]